TMS Therapy

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy is a breakthrough treatment for depression and other conditions that involves stimulating nerve cells in the brain with magnetic pulses. It is painless, non-invasive, and has proven clinically effective for some patients struggling with medication-resistant depression.

call now

Is TMS Therapy Right for You?

Find out by answering a few questions.

Start Here

How Does TMS Therapy Work?

TMS works on the area of the brain (the frontal cortex) that is underactive in people with depression. Essentially, magnetic pulses stimulate and activate the frontal cortex and help people process and utilize the chemicals in the brain (namely, serotonin and dopamine) that create happiness, motivation, and excitement. During a TMS session, patients wear a helmet-like device that contains magnetic technology. The device is activated for 20 minutes, and patients lie back in a chair and read, listen to music, or take a rest. This process is repeated each time the patient visits over the course of the treatment.

How to Get Started with TMS Therapy

TMS therapy follows a clinical treatment process that involves frequent patient visits (five times/week) that taper down over the course of a few months. While the time commitment can be substantial, the entire appointment takes only 30 minutes and can be done on your lunch break. The first step to undergoing TMS therapy is to talk to your provider and see if you are a good candidate. Currently, the treatment is primarily used for individuals with medication-resistant depression—which means that a patient has tried two or more medications and still suffers from depression symptoms. Bloom can help you determine if you fit the criteria for TMS therapy. A good place to start is with the screener above, requesting an appointment, or giving us a call.

View Our Providers

What are Patients Saying
about TMS Therapy?

“I would describe (my experience) as positive. I was skeptical about it, but I have been seeing improvements in my mood.”
~Mychele L.

“Life Changing!”
~Terry F.

“The staff at Bloom TMS is amazing! They are patient, understanding, and extremely helpful to patients”
~Sandra H.

“Overall I thought it was a great experience. I could notice a difference almost immediately. The Bloom TMS staff made me feel welcomed and comfortable.”
~Joseph N.

“All my family and friends see a great improvement with me. No more depression!”
~Karen C.

“I was not expecting to feel so much better. I’m functioning better than I have in years. I didn’t realize how bad I felt until this treatment greatly improved my functioning.”
~Carolyn S.

“TMS has been a lifeline for me. After decades of different treatments, I finally found something that is healing me rather than masking symptoms and ultimately damaging my health.”
~Anonymous

FAQs

What is TMS therapy?

TMS is a non-invasive FDA-cleared therapy that uses short magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain that controls mood. These pulses can have a lasting effect on the brain’s neurotransmitter levels, helping people suffering from depression achieve long-term remission from depression symptoms. Because TMS is not a drug, it doesn’t cause the side effects that are often associated with antidepressants.

How does TMS therapy work?

TMS is a non-drug and non-invasive depression treatment delivered right in one of our offices. You recline comfortably in a chair (much like a dentist’s chair or spa chair) during treatment. During a treatment session, precisely targeted magnetic pulses stimulate the mood-regulating areas in the brain that are underactive in people who suffer from depression. There is no anesthesia or sedation. You are fully awake and alert during treatment, and you can resume normal activities immediately after a treatment session.

Is TMS therapy right for me?

If you suffer from depression but have not benefitted from antidepressant medications—or are not happy with their side effects—TMS therapy may be right for you. TMS may also be a good choice if you have tried switching medications for depression but have still not found remission from your symptoms. Please ask about TMS with one of our providers or call the Patient Care Center at our main phone number to see if TMS may be right for you.

Is TMS like ECT?

TMS is very different from ECT. TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) uses magnetic waves similar in strength to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to stimulate neurons. Unlike ECT, there is no anesthesia or sedation, and you are fully awake and alert during treatment.

Is TMS covered by insurance?

TMS therapy is covered by most insurance plans nationwide, including Medicare and Tricare.

TMS therapy follows a clinical treatment process that involves frequent patient visits (five times/week) that taper down over the course of a few weeks. While the time commitment can be substantial, the entire appointment takes only 20 minutes and can be done on your lunch break.

Side effects may include:

Headache after the treatment (which can be alleviated by taking OTC pain reliever shortly before treatment)
Scalp discomfort at the site of stimulation
Minor spasms or twitching of facial muscles
(this may occur only during treatment and is not painful)

Have questions?

We’re here to answer them. Give us a call or request an appointment through our online form.

request appointment